Clark Biweekly 1 8 24

January 08, 2024

Today’s Sponsor
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Later in this email, find out why you may have less than a week to return unwanted Christmas gifts this year.

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🎁 Returning Christmas Gifts? This May Be the Final Week You’re Allowed To

If you have Christmas gifts that you want to return but have been busy celebrating New Year’s, traveling, watching football or readjusting to work, this is an important PSA.

“Returns are different this year post-Christmas than any prior year,”Clark says. “Normally you have a very generous and easy return window and policy to return items.

“You’re gonna find that a lot of retailers, if you don’t get it done this week, they may say, ‘Sorry. Too late.’ Because a lot of retailers are cutting off returns as soon as this Sunday. So be aware of that and get those things back.”

About 40% of online retailers are charging for returns (some waive the fees if you bring the item back to a physical store).

Retailers experienced a better-than-expected holiday season. But they’re distressed about return rates in the mid-to-high teens. Returns that come with a gigantic cost. Hence the crackdown on return policies.

Aside from the new normal in terms of deadlines, Clark says this week is a perfect time to exchange goods anyway:

  • You get a credit for what the gift-giver paid

  • Prices are heavily discounted as stores try to get rid of remaining merch

  • Foot traffic in those stores is way down from the pre-Christmas rush

“So this is a sweet spot week,” Clark says. “But next week could be sour. Because you may have missed the deadline that a lot of retailers have imposed this year.

“I never remember the return window closing before Jan. 31.”

📊 Stat of the Day

💸 $36: The amount of money that remote workers save per day on coffee, meals, parking, gasoline and other things vs. their office counterparts. Office workers spend about $51 a day (or $255 per normal work week) vs. just $15 a day ($75 per work week) for remote workers.

💰️ Deal Alert: Today’s Top Deals
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🎙️ Podcast

It’s the first "Clark Stinks!" of 2024! Christa reads the latest "Clark Stinks!" submissions and Clark responds. Also, are you looking for a remote job? There are so many scams that could really hurt you financially. Clark shares red flags and tips to help you find legitimate opportunities.

☎️ Need Money Help?

The Team Clark Consumer Action Center is a free helpline that can help you navigate your money questions. Call 636-492-5275. Visit clark.com/cac for more information.

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